what should i buy i have the choice of a celica vvti t-sport , 2001 36,000 miles with 4 service stamps £6,975
or 2003 vvti t-sport with 70,000 miles on with 6 service stamps in and £6,495
thanks
{Header changed from 'help' which is vague to say the least}
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 14/10/2009 at 10:48
|
The T-Sport / 190 model is in a completely different league to the VVTi performance wise. They feel pretty similar until 6,000 RPM when the 190 just goes ballistic all the way round to 8,000 RPM and a bit beyond. Sounds fantastic as well. A very quick car if you use all the revs.
A T-Sport will have been thrashed - it has to have been, as the interesting part of the power delivery is up over 6,000 RPM. Not a problem if it's been serviced on the button, but I can't imagine a screamer of an engine like this being very tolerant of skipped or skimped servicing. They have certain protection built in - for example the 6k+ cam timing won't chime in until the oil is hot enough, but with highly tuned units like this, you want indication that the owner had some appreciation of what they were driving. They are a well proven engine though, and like most Japanese engines, run on and on if looked after. The 140PS VVTi is a nice car, but the car is really crying out for more power. It's basically the 190 without the top end rush (same basic engine). I guess it depends how you intend to drive it. You will need to thrash the T-Sport though - if you want something that feels fast in normal driving, you will be disappointed. It needs lots and lots of revs, a bit like the traditional Honda VTEC unit.
A friend had a very early 190 (predecessor to the T-Sport) from new on a 51 plate, and he had numerous problems with the gearbox (one failed at 18,000 miles, the second became noisy at 50,000 miles) so any sign of gearbox problems, walk away. The wheels and suspension also don't cope very well with Britain's third world standard road surfaces, so check for bent alloys and unevenly worn tyres. He used to have to get the geometry set up from scratch at every single service. The trim rattles over bumps, and the interiors don't wear well, although this is rumoured to be Toyota trying to keep weight down. They are very light cars.
Gorgeous looking cars, particularly with the Dynamic Pack, which his had, very quick, great handling, great fun to drive. Just not as inherently reliable as you might expect. Buy carefully. Get a red one, if you can :-)
|
The T-Sport / 190 model is in a completely different league to the VVTi performance wise.
Both vvti t-sports according to OP.
|
Sorry - missed that! :-(
Interesting stuff though :-)
|
|
|
|
hi vador77
can i just give you a word of warning regarding the celica , first of all its a fantastic car driving wise with a great engine , my brother had a 2004 version a couple of years ago , he was travelling along the motorway at night when a car pulled into the middle lane rite in front of him ,he had to swerve to avoid a collision, he hit the central barrier, but instead of the barrier deflecting the impact , the car due to its low front wedged under it , forcing the bonnet onto the battery causing a fire , and the air bag did not to deploy due to the sensor on the front of the car not being impacted, lucky his seatbelt saved him, a chat to his insurance assessor revealed that there had been a number of incidents like this regarding that particular shape celica but all of them did not have as positive outcome regarding injury as my brothers,
|
53/04 RX8 for £7k?
That's where my money is going next year :-)
|
|
Civic Type R > Celica ;-)
|
...Civic Type R > Celica ;-)...
Ordinary Civics ride on square wheels, so I reckon a Type R must be almost in track day territory.
A Celica will be a much easier car to live with week in, week out.
Assuming the accommodation suits, which it must do, or the OP would not be considering it.
|
|
|
|
